Help please

[Nightingale-5]

I had an operation on my foot on 4th October and am in plaster, totally unable to walk and I'm in the middle of an horrendous RLS attack. I can't walk around, get in the bath or use any if my normal ideas. I'm going to damage the bad foot, I know I am!!!!

[Pippins2]

What an awful situation! Have you any strong painkillers you can take? X

[Nightingale-5 in reply to Pippins2]

I have degenerative disc disease and spinal arthritis sink already have Tramadol and Paracetamol. I think there might be something wrong under the plaster it's moved and really sore, if it's like this tomorrow I will call in at the hospital.

[beady3 in reply to Nightingale-5]

I am so sorry you are in all this pain take what you can but don't over do them. Don't mess about tomorrow get intouch with the hospital it's you that is suffering ,good luck for tonight ,xx

[Madlegs1]

If you think the cast is not right- would you consider going straight to AnE?

Take plenty of painkiller if you are waiting till the morning. Have you any Diazepam (valium) or sleeping pill to help till then.

All the very best.

[Neil46]

When I congratulated you on your op I was concerned about what you would do if RLS struck and I am so sorry it has. Your post was six hours ago now so I hope you have some relief now. and sleep?

If you are still suffering, as Madlegs1 says, can you get to A&E? You may get painkillers and a look at the cast before you injure yourself. If not so bad have you got Epsom Salts? Mixed half and half with warm water you could massage the h*ll out of your legs.

But I hope you are asleep now so I will creep quietly away and wish you well for the morning.

Best wishes Neil

[Eryl]

I've ben finding relief by keeping my sugar intake to a minimum. It might work for you.

[Nightingale-5 in reply to Eryl]

My sugar intake is terrible, I know I use sugar as comfort but I am now at an age where it needs to be dealt with. I don't know how I will do it but it must be done, there is diabetes right through my family and I am eating my way towards it!

[Nightingale-5]

Thanks all for being so supportive, after years of being on my own with this to have people who understand is amazing. I realised I can't go to hospital as I have a giant frame which I lean on and hop which I use just from bedroom to bathroom but I can't use it outside it's exhausting hopping around! I tried distraction techniques, I used my magnesium oil on my good leg and I took the allowed dose of Tramadol, I usually try to manage on less because I worry about the huge amount of meds I'm on. I also took my magnesium and luckily the attack only lasted about two hours. The hospital notes explain the plaster cast is open in several places to allow for swelling so I don't think it moving slightly will have harmed anything. I then read the op notes and found I hadn't hadn't had keyhole surgery the foot was opened so that explains why there is more pain. I should have looked before but my husband says he told me the day after the op what had been done. I can't tell you how much difference it made to be in that situation and have someone listening and caring. Thank you again. x

[Twitcher in reply to Nightingale-5]

just saying but I have found that codeine is really effective - could you swap out your tramadol (which has synthetic codeine in) for something like arthrotec or ibupfrofen and codeine (Nurafen plus in the chemists) you can buy it over the counter but the doc might prescribe a bigger dose - worth considering. Do you take magnesium/B6/iron combo supplements? I have also found this to be really helpful. I had both my hips replaced at the same time - years ago now - and had HORRENDOUS RLS especially in my thigh muscles post op - fortunately i was on v powerful morphine pain killers and that did it, but I was literally crying out loud every evening!!!! Go well!

[Vrnzjwl]

Please try 65 mg of iron a day, it's helped me tremendously.

[Kaarina Administrator]

One should not take iron supplements without first consulting a pharmacist or physician and receiving a diagnosis.